Oak Ridge National Laboratory announced on October 13, 2026, that its operations, construction, and travel generated an estimated $6.6 billion in U.S. economic output during fiscal year 2025. The laboratory also stated that its activity supported 25,819 jobs nationwide during the same period.
Economic Impact and Jobs
According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, every $1 in federal funding for the lab in fiscal year 2025 generated an estimated $2.39 in economic output across the United States. Overall, laboratory activity supported 25,819 U.S. jobs across industries such as scientific and technical services, health care, retail, construction, and travel.
In Tennessee, laboratory activity generated an estimated $3.6 billion in economic output and supported 17,058 jobs. The Knoxville metropolitan area accounted for $3.3 billion of that economic output and 15,645 of those jobs.
Small Business and Innovation Metrics
Oak Ridge National Laboratory obligated more than $950 million for U.S. procurements in fiscal year 2025, with $497.5 million going to small businesses. This total included $88.3 million directed to veteran-owned small businesses.
In the realm of research and commercialization, researchers disclosed 294 inventions and received 73 U.S. patents in fiscal year 2025. The laboratory recorded 27 intellectual property licenses and 66 cooperative research and development agreements.
Key facts and where they come from
- ORNL operations, construction, and travel generated $6.6 billion in U.S. economic output in fiscal year 2025.
ORNL’s operations, construction and travel generated an estimated $6.6 billion in U.S. economic output and supported 25,819 jobs nationwide.
- ORNL activity supported 25,819 U.S. jobs in fiscal year 2025.
Altogether, ORNL activity supported an estimated 25,819 U.S. jobs, including jobs connected to scientific and technical services, health care, retail, construction, travel and other industries.
- Small businesses received $497.5 million in ORNL spending during fiscal year 2025.
Of that spending, $497.5 million went to small businesses, representing 48.5 percent of overall subcontract spending.
- Researchers disclosed 294 inventions and received 73 U.S. patents in fiscal year 2025.
In fiscal year 2025, researchers disclosed 294 inventions and received 73 U.S. patents